Is Humira stronger than Remicade?

13 Aug 2012

Humira and Remicade belong to a class of drugs called biologics.
Four biologics are FDA approved for Crohn's. Three of the four block a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) that's involved in inflammation. These drugs are often called anti-TNF drugs or TNF inhibitors. They include Cimzia (certolizumab), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab).
The fourth medication, Tysabri (natalizumab), is called an integrin receptor antagonist. It blocks certain types of white blood cells that are involved in inflammation.
The TNF inhibitors have never been compared head-to-head in a study, so the decision to choose one over the other is largely about which one you and your doctor prefer.

Remicade is often used first and then it that doesn't work then Humira is tried.

5 Sep 2012

Your doctor is treating you responsibly. A good doctor starts with the easiest, cheapest treatment and then escalates as necessary to obtain remission. As my GI doc explained, if you start with the Big Guns, there is no place to go when they stop working. Your next step after other approaches including Remicade failed is Humira, but it is VERY EXPENSIVE! My experience is that Remicade stopped working for me after eight years. I enrolled in a clinical trial for Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and it immediately worked for me after Remicade failed. Google " 'low dose naltrexone' +crohn's" for more info. My meds cost me $19.99/month plus shipping from Skip's Pharmacy. I ordered a year's supply at once and it cost me $19.99 X 12 plus ONE SHIPPING CHARGE. Look for support groups for Low Dose Naltrexone for further info.